Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. The transition into menopause usually begins during a woman's 40s and 50s with periods first becoming less regular. This time preceding actual menopause is known as perimenopause. It can start several years earlier with gradual changes that finally lead up to menopause, the definitive point marked by one year without a period.
Key signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include:
The menopausal transition directly correlates with declining levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate much more than a woman's menstruation and fertility. When production begins to slow down during perimenopause, women can experience frustrating symptoms that often disrupt daily life. Long-term effects of hormone withdrawals can contribute to chronic health issues down the road.
As reproductive hormones responsible for regulating key bodily processes start to diminish, chemical and structural changes also occur in the brain. These changes, combined with issues like loss of sleep, have the potential to negatively impact mood and cognitive function. Many women going through perimenopause and menopause see an increase in:
Seeking treatment can help alleviate difficult mental and emotional symptoms to help women minimize life disruptions during this transition.
Beyond bothersome symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, the menopausal transition can also elevate risks for certain health conditions over time including:
Estrogen plays preventative roles in many body systems - from maintaining bone density to supporting bladder and urethral health to protecting cardiovascular function. Testosterone, which also begins to decline during this stage of life, contributes to libido, energy levels, muscle tone and more. Making sure levels of these key hormones do not drop too dramatically can have protective effects against various age-related health declines.
Lifestyle measures like eating well, exercising, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking can help ease uncomfortable symptoms. However, the most effective solution is to replenish withdrawing hormones at healthy levels through menopause hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Benefits provided by HRT include relief from troublesome menopausal symptoms allowing women to feel more like themselves again. Hormone therapy also has scientifically demonstrated protective effects for long-term health.
Supplementing the body with bioidentical hormones - made to match natural hormones produced in the body - can restore balance and provide relief from difficult menopausal symptoms including:
Results vary based on the individual, but most women find great symptom improvement with properly balanced hormone therapy.
Estrogen plays a key role in building and maintaining healthy bone density. During and after menopause, bone loss escalates due to reductions in this important hormone. Low bone density raises the risk for developing osteoporosis - a disorder causing fragile, fracture-prone bones - later in life.
Studies show hormone therapy with estrogen, often combined with progesterone, can help slow bone loss after menopause. Starting therapy sooner maximizes bone protections.
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one cause of death in women. As with osteoporosis, hormone withdrawals during the menopausal transition lead to elevations in certain heart disease risk factors. Research supports beginning HRT before significant cardiovascular declines is optimal for heart protective effects.
Delivering hormones at proper doses and ratios tailored to the individual provides optimal therapeutic benefits while avoiding potential risks associated with imbalance. Monitoring blood levels ensures appropriate adjustments are made. Ongoing follow-up and communication between patient and practitioner leads the best outcomes.
There is no universal formula or "one size fits all" approach to hormone replacement therapy. The art is finding and sustaining the right balance unique to each woman.
Key considerations when developing an individualized hormone therapy regimen include:
Balance & Renew Clinic physicians specialize in listening to patient concerns while gathering a thorough history to uncover the best clinical solutions. Individualized treatment plans couple both traditional and innovative hormone balancing strategies designed around unique needs and priorities.
Many women going through menopause find relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings through cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps women identify and change negative thought patterns related to menopause, improving their ability to cope with changes during this transition.
As a desert community located at higher elevation, Spearman experiences periods of low humidity averaging around 25-35% much of the year. This climate can potentially intensify common menopausal complaints like hot flashes and night sweats. However, low average rainfall paired with abundant sunshine provides an excellent environment for outdoor activity which becomes an important component of therapy.
Changing hormone levels make finding balance more complex. Initiation of treatment during periods of life with lower stressors proves most effective. For those juggling family demands or careers, summer provides opportune timing. Therapeutic effects strengthen just in time to face winter’s cold.
The holiday season from Halloween through Valentine's Day tends to drive added tensions that counteract therapy. If possible, avoiding new treatment starts during this fourth quarter makes good sense. Spring delivers a better mindset in most women – married or single - for beginning programs.
Successful therapy integrates professional support with positive lifestyle adjustments to deliver optimal results. Spearman and the surrounding area offer abundant resources to enhance menopausal treatments including:
Balance & Renew Clinic brings over 15 years’ experience specifically focused on optimizing hormone health for women and men. As leaders in the field of menopause medicine, our physicians combine proven traditional approaches with innovative new therapies personalized for each individual we treat. We consider it a privilege to help guide Spearman women through this transition while achieving positive change. Please call our office anytime to learn more about your treatment options or schedule a consultation.
